The 21st annual Grand Kids Festival will be April 2 in historic downtown Galveston.

The event, a celebration of the arts like no other, will take place on Postoffice Street from 20th to 23rd streets in Galveston's Cultural Arts District.

The festival fills three city blocks from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday with three outdoor stages, an indoor stage (at The Grand), a storytelling tent, more than a dozen activity areas, more than 40 activity booths and an array of food and beverage booths.

"We want children to leave the festival feeling the success of performing on stage, the thrill of creating a hands-on masterpiece and the experience of seeing performances that inspire them," said an event press release.

Entertainment includes Cajun author and song siren Johnette Downing and Cirque Mechanics artists who will transport the audience to the world of Pedal Punk, a Steampunk inspired place where cycling is the way to escape the technology-obsessed society.

In addition, there will be stunt bikes, bungee trampolines, a balloon artist, a giant inflatable zipline, a stop motion photography artist, an origami artist, a glass-blowing artist, interaction with live animals at the petting zoo and pony rides.

As one of the festival highlights, Missoula Children's Theatre will conduct a week-long residency for a production of "Little Red Riding Hood." The residency will begin with an open audition for students in grades K-12 at 4:30 p.m. on March 28 at The Grand. The Missoula team will select a cast of 50 area children who will participate in a week of rehearsals to prepare for their two performances onstage as part of The Grand Kids Festival.

The festival grounds will be free to the public as well as the inflatables, petting zoo and Zippy Pets. A fee will be charged for some activities and booths, such as food and face painting.

Spring break is quickly approaching and that means it's time for the return of the Spring Break Adventure Pass.

From March 11-20, guests will have the opportunity to purchase an unlimited, three-park pass allowing entry to Kemah Boardwalk, the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier and Landry's Downtown Aquarium Houston as many times during that timeframe as desired.

"Back by popular demand, we are excited to bring back our Spring Break Adventure pass to area residents and spring break visitors," said Mark Kane, divisional vice president of Landry's amusement division, in a press release.

The Kemah Boardwalk is home to waterfront restaurants, retail stores and its famed amusements. A variety of midway games, an arcade, a playground, and dancing fountains combined with 13 different rides give children and families a variety of choices. The Kemah Boardwalk is located at 215 Kipp Ave. in Kemah.

The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier features family-oriented attractions that include 16 rides, midway games, a selection of food venues and retail shops. The Pleasure Pier is located at 2501 Seawall Blvd. in Galveston.

Galveston

Bach Society Houston will perform a concert entitled "Music for Passiontide" at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 20, at the Lyceum of Galveston Island, 2401 Winnie, in the ensemble's first performance on the island.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to perform for our neighbors in Galveston for the first time. Music celebrating the Passion is powerful and moving - full of drama and an intense longing for peace," said Rick Erickson, director of Bach Society Houston.

The ensemble has recently been invited to participate in the 2017 International BachFest that takes place annually in Bach's city of Leipzig, Germany, and is the first American ensemble to receive the honor.

The 2016 Galveston County Fair and Rodeo will return April 8-16 at Jack Brooks Park at 5700 FM 2004, and a new entertainment lineup has been announced.

"For 2016 our fair has something for everyone, the entertainment lineup represents country legends to local favorites," said Paul Tibalto, Galveston County Fair and Rodeo president, in a media release.

Rodeo action, carnival rides, a livestock judging contest, and seafood and barbecue cook-off competitions are scheduled to be part of this year's fair.

"Our headliners include Tracy Byrd, Kyle Park, Johnny Lee, and new to our fair is the a cappella group Six Appeal," Tibalto said. "We really have thought out-of-the-box to bring a wide range of entertainment for everyone to enjoy."

Byrd will be kicking off the 2016 fair on Friday, April 8, with Jason James opening. The Golden Triangle's favorite son is a country legend with a string of chart-topping hits. Byrd is known for his traditional country music and was recently inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame.

Park, an Austin singer/songwriter, will be taking the stage on Saturday, April 9, with local favorite Southbound 45. Park, who headlined a few years ago, returns to the fair with his crank-it-up tunes and large fan base following.

New to the 2016 Galveston County Fair and Rodeo is "Fiesta Sunday" on April 10. It formerly was known as "Go Tejano Sunday."

"We wanted to make sure families knew there was entertainment everywhere, from the rodeo arena to the entertainment pavilion we are having a fiesta," Tibaldo said.

Jaime Y Los Chamacos will be headlining, with Tejano Knights and Yoyo y la Verdad opening. As part of Fiesta Sunday, strolling mariachis, an authentic Charro Equestrian group will be performing.

Six Appeal will be debuting at the fair on Thursday, April 14. The a cappella group is a world-class vocal ensemble. The group's high energy and comedic timing is a refreshing entertainment alternative to the entertainment line-up, said Tibaldo.

On Friday, April 15, country music icon Johnny Lee will perform. Local Houston band Story Book Road will be opening entertainment.

And to wrap things up, New Orleans-based band, Bag of Donuts, will take the stage on April 16.

It all kicks off at 1 p.m. on March 19 at the Pearland Natatorium, 4141 Bailey Road.

Admission is free for the event, which is geared for ages 3-10.

Come splash around for eggs at the annual Easter Egg Dive. Floating eggs will fill the pool in the non-traditional egg hunt. Children will be divided into heats by age groups, and provided a bag to gather their eggs.

No Easter baskets or buckets are allowed during the event. After all eggs have been gathered, participants can turn them in for a prize.

The eighth annual South West International Boat Show, the largest in-water boat show in the Southwest, will open March 17-20 at South Shore Harbour Marina.

A second show is scheduled Sept. 23-25 at the marina, too.

"We are thrilled to give boating lovers not one, but two opportunities this year to see these incredible vessels up close and in their element," said Peter Bryant, show president.

Each show will feature boats ranging in size from 10 feet to more than 100 feet, both freshwater and saltwater, ready for boarding and viewing.

Onshore, live music will provide entertainment and more than 200 vendors will offer a variety of services and products for the boating and outdoor lifestyle.

Show highlights include Discover Boating with programs of one and three hours of hands-on, in-water workshops for all experience levels. All sessions are taught by USCG licensed captains who are professional, certified instructors.

The show also offers a seminar series, covering a range of topics from cruising with couples and families to digital communication technologies and marine electric propulsion and many more.

All of the seminars will be at the South Shore Harbour Resort & Spa, 2500 South Shore Blvd., and hosted by technical experts, well-seasoned sailors, best-selling authors and world cruisers.

The event also includes the annual Boat Show Cruiser Party on March 19.

Parking is free with complimentary shuttle buses available on Saturday and Sunday.

The Rotary Club of Galveston will hold its sixth annual Crawfish Boil from noon 4 p.m. April 7 at Moody Gardens, under the big white tent behind the Discovery Pyramid.

For 103 years, the Rotary Club of Galveston has subscribed to the motto, "Service Above Self," and this year's free event will benefit Galveston humanitarian and educational projects and programs.

The Lighthouse Charity Cooking Team will be back under the direction of Dick and Horacene Daugird.Their crew is preparing a plate of Cajun-seasoned crawfish, potatoes, onions and fresh corn on the cob.

Also back by popular demand is the "Super Spud" - a loaded baked potato topped with beef brisket.

Other menu favorites include the Lighthouse Dogs and red beans and rice. Beverages will include a variety of ice-cold beer, soft drinks and bottled water.

Crawfish plate tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. There is no admission charge.

Live Zydeco will be served up by one of the Gulf Coast's most popular bands, Zydeco Dots. There will also be a dance contest that will culminate with the crowning of the festival's Zydeco Dance King or Dance Queen.

Other activities include the "Children's Crawfish Eating Contest," raffles and the "Mud Bug Bounce" (aka MoonWalk).

In celebration of the upcoming Lemonade Day Galveston County event, the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce's Lemonade Day float will be on display, with volunteers to answer questions and to distribute information about the competition.

For more information, call the chamber office at 409-763-5326 or visit www.galvestonchamber.com. Admission to the event is free.